One of the literature books that can be sent in middle and high school classes is The inspector's visit, do you know him?
If you have to get it but you don't know much about the book, below we have compiled information about it so that you can learn more about it.
Who wrote The Inspector's Visit
The Inspector's Visit is the work of John Boynton Priestley, better known as JB Priestley. He was born in 1894 in Bradford, and died at the age of 90, in 1984. Throughout his literary career he published 27 novels and many plays, among which is the title we are talking about (which is one of the most acclaimed).
His work as a writer began in 1919, when, to pay for his studies in modern history and political science, he had to teach and write. A few years later, he moved to London where he worked as a freelance writer and as a reader for a publishing house. He was 28 years old. And two years later, At 30, he was already a renowned satirist and humorist, as well as a literary critic.
His books began to sell and win awards that gave the author a golden age.
As for the book in question, another of the titles by which you also find it is "An inspector has arrived."
Priestly published it in 1945-46, years in which he was immersed in politics.a (he was a co-founder of the Common Wealth Party, a socialist party that defended public property and, according to what is said, helped the Labor Party win the elections at that time.
What is The Inspector's Visit about?
The inspector's visit is actually a play. Although it is possible that, a priori, you may think that it is actually a novel.
The plot is quite simple and quick to follow, especially because it does not change scenery, but rather takes place in just one place, where the story evolves until its surprising end.
As an advantage, especially for young people, it is not a very long book, but rather short. It takes place in England in the 30s, where we meet the Birling family, one of the wealthiest in the country who, at that time, is celebrating that her daughter has become engaged.
Thus, when the inspector arrives and asks to question all the members of the family, including the future son-in-law, he gets each of them to confess the dirty laundry that they have been hiding from the rest of the family.
Here is the synopsis in case you want to know more about it:
«A police inspector shows up at the Birling family home, interrupts the lively dinner celebrating Sheila's engagement and investigates the diners' involvement in the suicide of a girl.
The work, a prodigy of formal construction, then develops a plot that progresses like a clockwork mechanism and in which the extremely skillful management of suspense fails to suffocate a message of deep moral significance: we are all part of the same social body and we are responsible for what what happens to others.
An unforgettable lesson from Priestley that the poet John Donne had already warned us about: "never ask for whom the bell tolls: it tolls for you."
Regarding the ending, it's better not to tell you anything, because we already warned you that it will surprise you.
In total, the novel has three acts. The first focuses on the family reunion and part of the interrogations. The second continues with more interrogations while in the last the closing of the story is finalized, where the secrets are revealed.
It is quite quick to read, it will barely last an afternoon, but the way it develops, as well as the end of the book, does have great value.
Characters from The Inspector's Visit
Although we tell you that it is a short story, the truth is that it has quite a few characters, each one with their story and their secrets. They all act as protagonists.
Here we leave you a summary of each one.
Arthur Birling
He is the head of the family, the businessman who works to maintain his status and the life his entire family leads. He works in a factory and is a man who only cares about his business, not the workers.
Sybil Birling
Arthur's wife is a woman just as ambitious as her husband. She runs an association with which she aims to "help" those in need. Although in reality she is more of a façade to be important.
Despite being a mother, she does not worry about her children beyond ensuring that they are not going to embarrass her.
Sheila Birling
She is the daughter of Arthur and Sybil, a young woman whose night of celebration for her upcoming marriage is interrupted by the inspector.
Unlike her parents, she is a character who wants to help others, but feels tied hand and foot by her parents by preventing her from doing anything.
Eric Birling
Eric is Sheila's brother. He is not as charitable as his sister, but neither is he as ambitious as his parents. For him, the important thing is to spend life as best as possible and that is what he does, live in the moment.
The problem is that he does not worry about the consequences that his actions may have.
Edna
She is the family servant and has a predilection for always taking the side of the masters.
She doesn't think or act, she just does what she's asked.
Gerald Croft
The future son-in-law of the family, and Sheila's fiancé. He is a nonconformist man, who always tries to achieve the best and improve more and more (he has no bottom).
Inspector Goole
The protagonist and the one who takes the lead in the story. He is harsh and cruel in his interrogations to draw out each character's dark secrets.
Have you read the story of The Inspector's Visit? You like me? Leave us what you think of it in the blog comments.